Uriah Heep "In The Wild"

Like the chance of even discovering this band, and then finding out that everybody I was supposed to work with called in is pretty rare, don’t you think?

Drake "Take Care"

Drake is praised for being one of the best rappers of the current decade; some might even say EVER! His songs are so relatable to the current generation when it comes to relationships, many artists write songs about relationships, but there is some other factor in Drake’s approach. If the haters think he is going to fold, he proclaims “Over My Dead Body!”

THe Wallflowers "Glad All Over"

The last time we heard from these guys they were on the beautiful side of somewhere. It was a good song, no doubt, but Jakob said that during the beginning of the aughties they lost their focus; not in those exact words.  Their frame of mind was frozen, which required them to “Reboot The Mission.” The song, and first single is about the hiatus, without question; the song showcases a renewed vigor and wears that swagger on its suede jacket. It stands out from the rest, partially due to its style, and will stir some curiosity as to what the rest of the record sounds like. 

Taylor Swift "Red"

    Instead of seeing Red, she approaches each project with a “State of Grace,” which coincidentally occur after a major break-up. I know what they say about her, and she does too, but unless I know firsthand I’m not going to assume it’s correct. The last lines are what strike me, in this U2-esque opener, and take it however you like: “Love is a ruthless game/Unless you play it good and right.” Are there any smirks here? You have the right to form an opinion, but it is best to base it on fact.

Royce Da 5'9" "Success is Certain"

We know that two thing are certain in this world, forever and for always, and that is death and taxes. But for this Mc’s fifth solo album Success is Certain, and it should be, or else that would be a definite crime.  If the instrumentals don’t get you psyched for this first song, or the fact that T Barker is manning the drums, the lyrical aspect should with verses that are “Legendary.” “God melted a Rubic’s cube into fluid and threw it in my intuitive brain/I’m eating food for moving music in a gratuitous lane.” The hook can go on forever, and it really wouldn’t matter because they don’t care, but “Now everybody wanna believe me, but they don't really know what’s in my heart.”  He raps about being compared to fiddy on the following track because of his relationship to Marshall, but in terms of delivery and the lyrical I would like to say he reminds me more of Tech N9ne. The sound is based on studio horns, synth, strings and a choir that could more likely be found in a state of evanescence. Other than liking the chorus, featuring his mentor, and its relatability, I have “Writer’s Block.” The next song is a horn-based, circus style instrumental, that calls out the disc jockey primadonnas: “When the DJ's think they bigger stars than the artist/Ridin around in Ferraris doin more A&R'in than the A&R's,” and yes, there are a couple scratches during these bars; asking “Where My Money?” This song is the doctor, the verses may be in the “E.R.” but “As long as I'm aliiive, - the game gon' be breathin'./Even though it's [gasps] - wheezin'!” Jive at Weezy? Kid Vishiz and some of those SFX touches that Eminem has been known to add to his songs. We move on to a soulful-piano lead track that relays an interesting tale of drive and determination of a boy named Kenny who wanted to be a runner; the song keeps a consistent pace as his verses train “On The Boulevard.” The song sounds like it features John Legend, but features Nottz and Adonis, and maybe Loretta? "I Ain’t Comin Down"(More). The next song is a heartfelt tribute to Proof, or Deshaun Dupree Holton, with instrumentals that lay low as the verses take the toll as “Security.” The backing vocals are also filled with soul, but not by anyone you may know. I like the old-school production values in this next track which might be because Royce boasts “I’m into DMC, runs in the family” and suggests “I should run a marathon backwards so I could/See what 2nd place look like.” Well the song shouldn’t really come “Second Place” when it comes to quality. “I’ve Been Up, I’ve Been Down” as well, but this is another personal vignette, very moving, and not just because the arpeggio of piano, but what is revealed in the verses.  “Rather you the man, you're the mechanic; people treat money like oxygen/When they got it they take it for granted. (HUUUHHH!) - But then lose it and panic!/So spoken, G. - I look at him like superman.” There is a DJ Premier Remix Instrumental and Remix of “Writer’s Block.” This must be a DJ that actually scratches because several tracks ago he was rapping about those that get paid to preach, but not practice. The album is very cohesive, and is worth practically every second spent listening to it; I would recommend checking it out.

Kid Rock "Rebel Soul"

He was always one to make a statement, and whatever the consequence may be. Those who hardly know him may call him A Devil Without A Cause, and we knew he was Cocky, but when he proclaimed himself as a Rock N Roll Jesus that easily confirmed that notion. The aforementioned was an album worth the time spent listening to it, but I just didn’t even feel like bothering with his previous CD, but I was Born Free to avoid it, wasn’t I? I may listen to it eventually.

Lynyrd Skynyrd "Last of a Dyin' Breed"

They may not be the Last of a Dyin’ Breed, but they may be one of the few bands still making new music. Fans of Led Zeppelin can wait with bated breath for a new album. Beatles? Highly Unlikely. The Stones…possibly not. But I have forgotten that Van Halen, Rush,  and ZZ Top and Aerosmith have all released new albums this past year as well, so take that however way you want. Aside from having that one iconic song that people joke around with at concerts, and several others too, do they still have  anything to offer listeners?

Christina Aguilera "Lotus"

Not sure if this would be classified as an identity crisis, but every album she approaches in a different way while still staying the same. In 1999, the self-titled debut of the vocally talented and lovable teenage pop-tart was released; the songs were catchy and worthy of multiple listens. In only three short years she was Stripped of her cookie-cutter crust, and began her growth as a gorgeous and independent young woman; fearless of being sexy, albeit dirrty, and even vulnerable in her own skin. Her last album she played the role of sexbot, and was a little too Bionic for me. While there were obvious standouts under the new allegiance with studio wizardry and producers of electropop/ electronic music, some of the best tracks were devoid of all the studio bells and whistles. The tracks which ignored the sexual desire, even though practically everyone experiences that, and focused on personal aspects of her life (including her son) were more memorable; also balanced the album.

Shinedown "Amaryllis"

While their last album was The Sound of Madness, this sounds like the sound of minor frustration; not that the change is that radical. It has been said that some of the songs’ ferocity are diluted due to studio processing. Just listen to devour, and you may hear a difference; the opener for this album still gets the old “Adrenaline” pumping. The threat of the “Bully” has always been there, but it has seemed to get worse these past few years. How one person can hurt another without feeling remorse is disheartening, but that could be because that is the only pain they can control; that does not make it right. While the intention was good, Brent Smith sounds like one when it comes to the chorus toward the end. As for the title track and the fourth cut, they are much more melodic, and sound as studio-assisted ingenuity that makes this album a worthy followup. “Enemies” of enthusiastic guitar-work might not be pleased, but just try it with Three Days Grace. One of the stand-outs is “I’m Not Alright,” mostly due to the lush composition, but when you’re “All messed up/And slightly twisted” you ask yourself “Am I sick or am I gifted?” The anthem for the “Nowhere Kids” replicates the hunger for retribution, and energy, that made another song so easy to devour.  The swaying groove is not the “Miracle,” but the person who inspired the song; those who have found their better half, or someone that makes their life better knows what I mean: “As you sparkle in the sky/I’ll catch you while I can/ Cause all we are is all I am.”  This is one of the first times I have heard piano from this band; almost as if Sir Elton John could have wrote the crow and the butterfly. Unbeknownst to Shinedown, they were returning the favor that Meat Loaf began when he wrote a song of madness; as well echoing the vocals of Scott Stapp, and brining us into the new dark ages. “My Name (Wearing Me Out)” stresses the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people who support you, without being overbearing; just taken from his experience. Call me irrelevant, call me inane, because the flourish of bells and strings stand out in my brain.  The memory of someone we once knew, now lives “Through The Ghost,” it’s like we hardly knew.             

Slash "Apocalyptic Love"

How fitting the title is, considering 2012 was the big year of the apocalypse. We’re still here, and when love mutates into hate it still feels like the end of the world! In fact, it only takes one bad relationship to lose the precious jewel everyone is born with, or end the camaraderie that used to be shared between great friends. His last album was not only a showcase of multiple vocalists and musicians, but was nonchalantly an audition for the collaborator of Slash’s next album. This pairing with Kennedy is on the right track, and shows promise for future projects. If the first two songs don’t do much for you, then you might feel aroused listening “Standing in the Sun;” regardless if your location be Paradise City, or the type of memories it holds. This next collaboration is not up to par with the two audition cuts on his 2010 album; in fact the guitar work sounds lazy and boring, and the hook is garbage. “You’re A Lie.”  “No More Heroes” has this engaging recurring riff that reminds me of this old animated commercial that was against smoking; released over a decade earlier, and was like pen drawings. A dirty, infectious hook can often leave an infected wound, but in spite of itself leaves a “Halo,” and a reminder that you should live for the present as well. How past mistakes and/ or regrets can come back to haunt us: whether it is the love for “Anastashia” that has him on the run, for her sake, or the ghosts of bad habits that are no longer worth it. The former was good, but the latter was “Not For Me;” musically anyways. “Bad Rain” could have been falling from the aching hearts who mourn the loss of the king of pop; it sounds like an MJ song, and I say that with as much respect as possible. I like my music “Hard and Fast,” but this is one of those cases I choose to be “Far and Away” from. “Shots Fired” and target acquired: a better climax than the inception; not by much. My Favorites: Standing in the Sun, You’re A Lie, No More Heroes, Anastashia, Bad Rain and Shots Fired.     

Cheif Keef "Finally Rich"

Even with a hook as annoying as this you can bet he’s still “Laughin’ To The Bank.”